Ministry of presence: Church continues refugee response in Balkans
While some organizations have withdrawn from refugee camps near closed borders, Nazarene team members remain to provide for the families and individuals who have nowhere else to go. (video) Read more
Ministry of presence: Church continues refugee response in Balkans
Photos by Brandon Sipes
As the war in Syria continues to destroy cities and as conditions in refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey worsen, scores of refugees continue to make their way toward Europe. Just this year more than 135,000 refugees and migrants have traveled from Turkey to Europe by sea. While harsh winter conditions have not slowed the flow of families and individuals, the journey to northern Europe has become more difficult as countries in the European Union close their borders to refugees.
The Church of the Nazarene remains committed to responding to the refugee crisis in spite of changing circumstances. In addition to the ongoing work of local congregations in Jordan and Lebanon, Nazarenes in Central Europe continue to meet the needs of refugees in transit. For the past several months, volunteers with a Nazarene refugee response team have been serving in refugee transit camps in Slavonski Brod, Croatia, and Sid, Serbia, by meeting immediate needs, such as providing shoes.
Until recently, these stations saw thousands of people come through daily. With the current border closures in the Balkans, the flow of people has stopped, but hundreds of refugees are now stuck at each site for the foreseeable future. Many organizations have moved elsewhere as a result, but Nazarene team members are remaining to provide for the needs of families and individuals who have nowhere else to go.
Brandon Sipes, who is helping coordinate the church’s refugee response through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, said the team sees this as an opportunity to “deepen relationships.”
The goal all along has been to “re-humanize” the situation for refugees in transit, said Graeme Yantis, a volunteer helping lead the Nazarene response team in the Balkans.
“As soon as you see the faces [of refugees coming through the camps], it’s such a different issue,” Yantis said. “We tend to look at this crisis from a large scale and say, ‘We can respond to this crisis,’ but I think the story of the church is about responding to the needs of individuals.”
Yantis sees a ministry of presence as an important part of their work with refugees.
“Their life and their story has been ripped away, at least part of it,” he said. “And for me just to be able to restore a little bit of that … to hear their story, to see them as human beings …”
James Madsen, another volunteer, said through his experience there, the refugees have “become a lot more human than [they are] on a TV screen or computer screen.”
Madsen sees responding to the needs of refugees as a responsibility of the church.
“It’s what the church is supposed to be,” he said. “How the church is supposed to grow is [to] be there to meet people’s needs, to be an encouragement, to be love to people.”
Leaders from Nazarene churches and districts in Northern Europe are gathering April 1 in Frankfurt, Germany, to plan ways to effectively minister to the refugees who are able to reach their communities.
To download resources for your church, including the “A Lot More Human” video, click here.
How to help
Churches and individuals around the world can support efforts to minister to refugee families by giving to the NCM Refugee and Immigrant Support Fund.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116
Be sure to put 125347 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 125347 in the Memo area.
For other countries, please give through your local church or district, designating your gift to the NCM Refugee and Immigrant Support Fund.
To learn more about the church’s response to the refugee crisis, visit ncm.org/refugees. Additional stories from the refugee camps in Croatia and Serbia can be found on the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries blog.[Nazarene Compassionate Ministries]
Missionaries share about visit to Greece refugee camp
Missionaries Joshua and Shannon Herndon share about their recent visit to the Idomeni refugee camp in Greece. (via Engage magazine) Read moreMissionaries share about visit to Greece refugee camp
Idomeni, Greece
Missionaries Joshua and Shannon Herndon recently visited Greece, where they will be relocating to start a Church of the Nazarene this summer. They met with evangelical leaders who are already at work there and have offered to help the family make connections and get to know potential partners.
Michael Long, a Free Methodist missionary, took the Herndons and Western Mediterranean Field Strategy Coordinator Bruce McKellips to the Idomeni refugee camp on the Greek side of the border with Macedonia.
What did you experience when you visited the Idomeni refugee camp?
We went not knowing what we were going to see or do. When we got there, it was amazing: You see it on the news, the thousands of people that are there. Just the week before, [Michael Long] had been to that same camp and there had been a few hundred. So he was blown away that there were thousands of people.
Before we went, we had bought some food, and brought clothes that Michael gathered. We distributed clothes, fresh fruit, cookies. We just went around and talked with people, saw the different nonprofit organizations, such as Doctors Without Borders. In Greece, the government has basically decided they want to be hands-off. They don’t have resources to deal with the influx of people, so the real help that is happening within the refugee community comes from Christian organizations, not-for-profits, individuals that come. It’s not government-driven.
There were 3-hour-long lines for food. Hundreds of people in line. It was a rainy day, the kids — you just see the need for shoes. I saw children barefooted, running around in the mud. Multiple children just have one shoe on; that’s the only shoe they own, maybe they’re sharing the other shoe with a sibling or lost it along the way.
For the rest of the interview, see Engage magazine.
Q&A: Missionary talks visit to Greek refugee camp by Gina Grate Pottenger
The first week of March, Joshua and Shannon Herndon, missionaries to Spain, visited Greece, where they will be relocating to start the Church of the Nazarene this summer (read more). They met with evangelical leaders who are already at work there, and have offered to help the family make connections and get to know potential partners.
They met with Michael Long, a Free Methodist Missionary. He has been visiting refugee camps in different areas of Greece to help assess the needs. On March 4, he took the Herndons, as well as Bruce McKellips, who leads the Western Mediterranean Field, which includes Greece, to the Idomeni refugee camp on the Greek side of the border with Macedonia.
Shannon shared what she saw and heard at Idomeni, and how it might affect their plans for future ministry there. (Read more about how the denomination is responding to the refugee situation throughout the Eurasia Region.)
What did you experience when you visited the Idomeni refugee camp?
We went not knowing what we were going to see or do. When we got there, it was amazing: You see it on the news, the thousands of people that are there. Just the week before, [Michael Long] had been to that same camp and there had been a few hundred. So he was blown away that there were thousands of people.
Before we went, we had bought some food, and brought clothes that Michael gathered. We distributed clothes, fresh fruit, cookies. We just went around and talked with people, saw the different nonprofit organizations, such as Doctors Without Borders. In Greece, the government has basically decided they want to be hands off. They don’t have resources to deal with the influx of people. So the real help that is happening within the refugee community comes from Christian organizations, not-for-profits, individuals that come. It’s not government driven.
There were 3-hour-long lines for food. Hundreds of people in line. It was a rainy day, the kids – you just see the need for shoes. I saw children barefooted, running around in the mud. Multiple children just have one shoe on; that’s the only shoe they own, maybe they’re sharing the other shoe with a sibling or lost it along the way.
How did what you saw in Greece square with the news this week in which four countries north of Greece closed their borders to refugees?
Everybody is stuck there now. There’s this huge backup. In Greece they are building hot spots [retention centers where refugees will live until they’re processed and allowed to continue on or sent to Turkey] that are going to hold up to 50,000 people. You are talking entire cities of refugees. They expect them to be full. On average, 3,000 people arrive per day to Greece and they don’t have the infrastructure to deal with that number of people since all the borders are closed.
We met with Syrians; we came across multiple Iraqis, Afghanis. The Afghanis had documents to cross borders legally, but they’re not allowing Afghanis whether they have documents or not. That is what the border police are telling us. If they’re not letting anybody in, they’re just not letting anybody in.
There were young men talking about their entire villages – the men were being killed. The option was to join [extremist groups] or be killed or run, so they chose to leave. We heard that story echoed many times.
There were many, many children. That’s heartbreaking to see. The majority you see were sick, whether it was cold or coughs, because they’re in the cold and the wet. They don’t have good food to eat, not healthy things that keep your immune systems up and going. You don’t sleep well when you’re in a tent with large numbers of people. The kids, you see them suffering.
Before we went, we had bought some food, and brought clothes that Michael gathered. We distributed clothes, fresh fruit, cookies. We just went around and talked with people, saw the different nonprofit organizations, such as Doctors Without Borders. In Greece, the government has basically decided they want to be hands off. They don’t have resources to deal with the influx of people. So the real help that is happening within the refugee community comes from Christian organizations, not-for-profits, individuals that come. It’s not government driven.
There were 3-hour-long lines for food. Hundreds of people in line. It was a rainy day, the kids – you just see the need for shoes. I saw children barefooted, running around in the mud. Multiple children just have one shoe on; that’s the only shoe they own, maybe they’re sharing the other shoe with a sibling or lost it along the way.
How did what you saw in Greece square with the news this week in which four countries north of Greece closed their borders to refugees?
Everybody is stuck there now. There’s this huge backup. In Greece they are building hot spots [retention centers where refugees will live until they’re processed and allowed to continue on or sent to Turkey] that are going to hold up to 50,000 people. You are talking entire cities of refugees. They expect them to be full. On average, 3,000 people arrive per day to Greece and they don’t have the infrastructure to deal with that number of people since all the borders are closed.
We met with Syrians; we came across multiple Iraqis, Afghanis. The Afghanis had documents to cross borders legally, but they’re not allowing Afghanis whether they have documents or not. That is what the border police are telling us. If they’re not letting anybody in, they’re just not letting anybody in.
There were young men talking about their entire villages – the men were being killed. The option was to join [extremist groups] or be killed or run, so they chose to leave. We heard that story echoed many times.
There were many, many children. That’s heartbreaking to see. The majority you see were sick, whether it was cold or coughs, because they’re in the cold and the wet. They don’t have good food to eat, not healthy things that keep your immune systems up and going. You don’t sleep well when you’re in a tent with large numbers of people. The kids, you see them suffering.
There are little bright spots, though. You see the joy on the kids’ faces. The parents are stressed and exhausted, but kids are kids no matter where you’re at. They were making balls out of anything they had to play with. Groups of kids came up calling Josh ‘Spikey,’ because Josh’s hair – it’s spikey on top.
Some of [the people] came up and took pictures with us with their cameras, documenting their own journey for themselves. We weren’t the only ones who were wanting to see and document things.
What kind of stories or comments did you hear from the people?
They talked about the experience of being stuck. So many people said they had been already a few months in Greece. Once you get from Turkey to the islands you have to figure out then how to get from the island you landed on to mainland Greece. That’s another ferry; another expense; another journey. A lot of them get stuck on the island for months before they have the finances and ability to move on to mainland Greece.
Once they land they have to get from Athens in the south and make their way somehow, whether it’s cars, trucks, buses or walking. It’s a five-hour drive from Athens to Thessaloniki. I don’t know what a bus trip would be. They make their journey to the north and now the borders are closed at Macedonia. There’s a fence with razor wire at the Macedonia and Greece border that wasn’t there before. Mike, who has been going the past few months, he said it’s new.
What does all this mean for the Greek people?
Some of [the people] came up and took pictures with us with their cameras, documenting their own journey for themselves. We weren’t the only ones who were wanting to see and document things.
What kind of stories or comments did you hear from the people?
They talked about the experience of being stuck. So many people said they had been already a few months in Greece. Once you get from Turkey to the islands you have to figure out then how to get from the island you landed on to mainland Greece. That’s another ferry; another expense; another journey. A lot of them get stuck on the island for months before they have the finances and ability to move on to mainland Greece.
Once they land they have to get from Athens in the south and make their way somehow, whether it’s cars, trucks, buses or walking. It’s a five-hour drive from Athens to Thessaloniki. I don’t know what a bus trip would be. They make their journey to the north and now the borders are closed at Macedonia. There’s a fence with razor wire at the Macedonia and Greece border that wasn’t there before. Mike, who has been going the past few months, he said it’s new.
What does all this mean for the Greek people?
You can see on the other side of the fence there’s a small village there in Macedonia. What must those people have been experiencing to suddenly have a fence and wire? They could have walked across the fields to Greece; nobody cared. There was no control. Maybe those villagers are related to or have friends across the border. You think about the Greeks and Macedonians and how their lives have changed in kind of an instant. That was kind of an interesting thought as well: It’s not just the refugees whose lives are being changed and altered. It’s the Greeks and Macedonians as well. Their lives are being changed.
One of the pastors from Australia is a psychologist, his name is Harry. Harry was saying he was meeting with a social worker, a Greek woman, and her job works with the refugees because they’re in such psychological stress. She’s providing counseling services through the government, which is providing medical services. She said she finds herself in conflict, because she’s providing these services to refugees when she says her own people are in such need. She feels conflicted that she should be helping her own people rather than people that are passing through.
There’s a struggle for the Greek people to know what to do in this situation. They are in desperate need for food and electricity and clothing, and now we have these thousands of people coming through and they also need all these things and how do we provide that? The Greek people just don’t have that.
You’re moving to Greece this summer. When you developed the plan for launching Nazarene ministry in Greece, the refugee situation wasn’t even happening in Greece. Does this new reality alter what you’re planning to go there and do?
We’re still really actively praying about what our part will be. In going, we have to do language study since we’re brand new and there’s no Nazarene presence in Greece. It’s not the same as coming to a country that has a need where the church is already established.
That being said, there’s obviously a need and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) is obviously involved in the refugee situation; all the work [NCM has] been doing is north of the Macedonia and Greece border. We would be capable of facilitating work on the Greek side. We have been talking about facilitating Work & Witness teams wanting to come and help with the refugee crisis and partnering with people already there. It may not be our focus, but we see ourselves playing a part in partnering with people who are already there and being active. There are good organizations already in place and they definitely need support and supplies and anything that could be provided. We might be at this point better served in partnering rather than creating something new.
Once you get eyes on the situation and you see the magnitude of the situation you can’t step back and say, “I’m not interested.” We really feel like our call in pioneering the work in Greece – in partnering with Greek people – our hope is with reaching out and partnering with other ministries, we will come across Greeks who are interested in volunteering to help or possibly are in real need.
In coming across all these refugees in need, you come across nationals in need. Maybe we would be able to reach out to the communities around refugee camps as well – to minister to the Greek people while also reaching out to the refugee community.
In Greece the evangelical church is very small. This will be positive to partner with others. If we want to be a long-term presence, we need to build strong relationships with the people that are already there. That would be another really positive outcome of working with refugees. With the partnerships and relationships we can build with the evangelical community a foundation for ministry in Greece.
One of the pastors from Australia is a psychologist, his name is Harry. Harry was saying he was meeting with a social worker, a Greek woman, and her job works with the refugees because they’re in such psychological stress. She’s providing counseling services through the government, which is providing medical services. She said she finds herself in conflict, because she’s providing these services to refugees when she says her own people are in such need. She feels conflicted that she should be helping her own people rather than people that are passing through.
There’s a struggle for the Greek people to know what to do in this situation. They are in desperate need for food and electricity and clothing, and now we have these thousands of people coming through and they also need all these things and how do we provide that? The Greek people just don’t have that.
You’re moving to Greece this summer. When you developed the plan for launching Nazarene ministry in Greece, the refugee situation wasn’t even happening in Greece. Does this new reality alter what you’re planning to go there and do?
We’re still really actively praying about what our part will be. In going, we have to do language study since we’re brand new and there’s no Nazarene presence in Greece. It’s not the same as coming to a country that has a need where the church is already established.
That being said, there’s obviously a need and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) is obviously involved in the refugee situation; all the work [NCM has] been doing is north of the Macedonia and Greece border. We would be capable of facilitating work on the Greek side. We have been talking about facilitating Work & Witness teams wanting to come and help with the refugee crisis and partnering with people already there. It may not be our focus, but we see ourselves playing a part in partnering with people who are already there and being active. There are good organizations already in place and they definitely need support and supplies and anything that could be provided. We might be at this point better served in partnering rather than creating something new.
Once you get eyes on the situation and you see the magnitude of the situation you can’t step back and say, “I’m not interested.” We really feel like our call in pioneering the work in Greece – in partnering with Greek people – our hope is with reaching out and partnering with other ministries, we will come across Greeks who are interested in volunteering to help or possibly are in real need.
In coming across all these refugees in need, you come across nationals in need. Maybe we would be able to reach out to the communities around refugee camps as well – to minister to the Greek people while also reaching out to the refugee community.
In Greece the evangelical church is very small. This will be positive to partner with others. If we want to be a long-term presence, we need to build strong relationships with the people that are already there. That would be another really positive outcome of working with refugees. With the partnerships and relationships we can build with the evangelical community a foundation for ministry in Greece.
NTS-Peru hosts program for Awajún students
Nazarene Theological Seminary of Peru hosted two programs to train pastors and leaders from the Church of the Nazarene's three Awajún districts. The Awajún people are an ethnic group from the Peruvian Amazon jungle. Read moreNTS-Peru hosts program for Awajún students
Chiclayo, Peru
Nazarene Theological Seminary of Peru hosted two programs to train pastors and leaders from the Church of the Nazarene's three Awajún districts. The Awajún people are an ethnic group from the Peruvian Amazon jungle.
The first program began January 11 with a summer holiday program that concluded February 26 with a time of fellowship for those enrolled. There were 21 students registered in the program, 99 percent of whom are Awajún. The program also serves as a ministerial course update for pastors from the three Awajún districts.
The seminary's regular program began March 7 in the Nuevo Horizonte Sub-Headquarters for 18 students (of which 95 percent are Awajún) and the continuing program for graduates with a Diploma in Theology who wish to apply for a Bachelor of Theology awarded by NTS-Peru.
The Nuevo Horizonte Sub-Headquarters, located in the Amazon jungle, is an extension of NTS-Peru that serves three Awajún districts in the formation of pastors and leaders.
For a video about theological education on the Awajún districts, click here.[Church of the Nazarene South America Region]
ANSR conference to focus on millennials
This year's annual Association of Nazarene Sociologists and Researchers Conference, to be held May 19 through 21 at MidAmerica Nazarene University, will focus on "Millennials and the Church." Read moreANSR conference to focus on millennials
Olathe, Kansas
This year's Association of Nazarene Sociologists and Researchers (ANSR) Conference, to be held May 19 through 21 at MidAmerica Nazarene University, will focus on "Millennials and the Church."
The free conference is designed for denominational leaders and aims to provide attendees with an innovative resource for ministry. Held annually, the conference brings together trending sociological research and speaker-leaders from across the Church of the Nazarene. The conference begins Thursday evening and ends following breakfast on Saturday, allowing attendees time to return home for Sunday services.
The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Richard Flory, who directs the Religion, Culture and Politics Working Group at the University of Southern California. Flory is also the author, co-author, and editor of several books.
"We’re looking forward to spending time with you at this year’s conference, which is being held on the beautiful MidAmerica Nazarene University campus and hosted by the Sullivan Center for Church Leadership," said Dale Jones, director of Nazarene Research Services. "Together we’ll enjoy gifted speakers, significant research, amazing food, and meaningful fellowship — including a presentation game night event."
While the conference itself is free, on-campus meals and rooms are available for a fee.
For registration and details, visit ansrconference.com or contact Research Services atresearch@nazarene.org or 1-800-306-9928.[Nazarene Research Services]
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Africa
DRC pastor perseveres in building church, school
A new school building in Kafubu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is now complete after two years. Read moreDRC pastor perseveres in building church, school by Gavin Fothergill for Out of Africa
Kafubu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Aimé Mutombo and his wife
I can hardly believe that it has taken nearly two years to be able to say this, but the School in Kafubu, DRC, started by Rev. Aimé is now finished. IT IS FINISHED!
Throughout this building process, Rev. Aimé has suffered quite a bit because of his obedience. An angry mob destroyed the first church they built in the village, which doubled as a two-room school house for only three weeks before it was destroyed. Rev. Aimé (whose name means loved) was thrown in jail for more than a week before the church members were able to get him out. After much struggle, the village finally accepted him as a pastor and a servant of the Lord, he built a second church only to have it destroyed after heavy rains.
Kafubu Nazarene School
If it were me, I would most likely have given up long ago. But I am thankful for servants and pastors like Rev. Aimé who remind me that once God gives a vision, He will see it through to the end. Eventually, a church was built and stands to this day. In the original location, they were able to start the school with the arrival of a Work & Witness team from Point Loma Nazarene University in July of 2014 and the Congo Jam event in the USA which helped to raise money. They struggled again with land disputes and getting official documents, but the Lord was faithful and the financing came in from various partners who were also touched by God's vision for Kafubu. Today, the school is teaching the adults who never got a chance to go to school how to read. In September, it will begin teaching children from grades 1 to 8 so they no longer have to take 10-mile roundtrip walk to the next town for education.[Church of the Nazarene Africa Region]
Flags of the Nations: Nigeria
Each week, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center proudly flies a flag of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. This week's flag: Nigeria, Africa Region. Click "read more" for more information about the Church of the Nazarene in Nigeria, including what year the church entered the country and how many members there are today. Read moreFlags of the Nations: Nigeria
Since September 1, 2009, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center (GMC) proudly flies a flag each week of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. Leaders were invited to send a national flag to be flown at the GMC alongside the flag of the United States*. The national flags rotate weekly, and photos of them raised are sent to the church leaders of that country.
This week: Nigeria
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Nigeria in 1977.
Nigeria had a population of 181,562,056 in 2015. That same year, Nigeria reported 76 Churches of the Nazarene, 49 of which had been officially organized. Nigeria has 12,508 total members.
Located on the Africa Region, Nigeria has two Phase 2 districts. For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene.
USA/Canada
Moving Ministers: March 2016
Compiled by the General Secretary's Office from district reports, Moving Ministers is a monthly listing of Nazarene ministers in new assignments on the USA/Canada Region. Read moreMoving Ministers: March 2016
Compiled by the General Secretary's Office from district reports, Moving Ministers is a monthly listing of Nazarene ministers in new assignments on the USA/Canada Region.
Roles included in the latest report are pastor and pastoral service. Entries were received from March 1 to March 31, 2016.
To view the March report, click here.
For previous reports, see usacanadanazarene.org.
Nazarenes in the News
Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members. In the news this week: Texas congregation celebrates 100 years. Read moreNazarenes in the News
Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.
A Temple tent revival.
Texas congregation celebrates 100 years
(Temple Daily Telegram, February 29) Following the example of Abraham in the Old Testament, a faithful band of believers in 1916 pitched their tent in east Temple, guided by a promise and hope.
The congregation grew from the evangelistic efforts of the Revs. C.H. White and Leo Ferdinand Maedgen (1880-1964), who conducted a series of tent revivals in Temple. With those successful efforts, the Rev. Hope Giles Land (1873-1928), a carpenter by trade and a preacher by calling, pitched a tent east of the Missouri-Texas-Kansas Railway tracks for two big church meetings on March 12, 1916.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Stories to share? Send them to news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]
In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received March 28 - April 1, 2016. Read moreIn Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received March 28 - April 1, 2016.
Lola (Fetty) Baker, 90, of New Cumberland, West Virginia, passed away March 24. She was the widow of retired minister Arnett Baker, who served in West Virginia and Ohio. Arnett Baker passed away in 2001.
Paul Barber Sr., 76, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away March 27. He was a retired minister, serving in Washington, California, Idaho, and Oregon. He is survived by his wife, Marie Barber.
Wilbur Brannon, 85, of Hermitage, Tennessee, passed away March 29. He was a retired minister and evangelist, serving in Indiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, California, and Tennessee. He also served as a director at the denomination's International Headquarters. He is survived by his wife, Grace "Betty" Brannon. More information will be published as it is made available.
Talma (Gunter) Deal, 92, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away March 18. She was the widow of retired minister James Deal, who served in Florida and Tennessee. James Deal passed away in 2005.
Ernestine (McDonald) Ellis, 94, of Saint Charles, Missouri, passed away March 4. She was the widow of retired minister and chaplain John Ellis, who served in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. John Ellis passed away in 1988.
Anna Fanning, 76, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away March 24. She was a retired minister, serving in Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Fanning, in 2003.
Byron Hunt, 87, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away March 29. He was a retired minister, serving in Indiana and Colorado. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Hunt.
James "Gilbertson" Stuart, 97, of Brooklyn, New York, passed away February 28. He was a retired minister, serving in New York. He was preceded in death by his wife, Adna Stuart, in 1999.
Janice Tabone, 62, of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, passed away March 22. She was the wife of retired minister Vincent "Jim" Tabone, who served in Maine.
Esther (Wilson) White, 85, of Peoria, Illinois, passed away March 21. She was the widow of retired minister Paul White, who served in Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. Paul White passed away in October.
Walter Wilcox, 88, of Indian Mountain, New Brunswick, Canada, passed away March 21. He was a retired minister and evangelist, serving in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Ontario. He is survived by his wife, Alva Wilcox.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join with us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]
Global praise reports and prayer requests
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners. Included this week: JFHP ministry transforms lives in Argentina, Burkina Faso ... Deadly overpass collapse. Read moreGlobal praise reports and prayer requests
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners include:
PRAISES
JESUS Film - Argentina
“I was filled with bitterness and anger,” said Alejandra in Argentina. “When I was just 12 years old, my uncle took advantage of me. I did not speak to my mother for 20 years. My life was consumed with every evil. My four children have different fathers. Throughout my life, I was beaten, mistreated, and psychologically abused. I sought relief in alcohol and promiscuity. I was totally spent, at the end of my rope!
“I began to attend a small group started by a JESUS Film team. In this group, they told me God could change my life. As my last hope, in desperation, I lifted my eyes to heaven. Something happened to me — I began to weep uncontrollably! I was transformed, restored, and healed physically. I found the desire to forgive my mother for all I held against her. I am a new creature! I want you to know my testimony. When I look at my old life compared to what Jesus has done today, my heart weeps with joy and thankfulness! Pray for me and my children to remain strong in the Lord.”
JESUS Film - Burkina Faso
"Most of the villagers are engaged in agriculture and are animists (worshippers of inanimate objects)," said Benjamin Nabi, a team leader in Burkina Faso. "This village became notorious for drugs, prostitution, crime, armed robberies, murders, rituals, etc. It became this way simply because gold was found in the area.
"JESUS Film work in this area has helped people see that Jesus Christ is the one who can take them out of their misery. One such person is a young girl named Odile. She was sold by her bosses into humiliating prostitution on the gold site. Through the JESUS Film outreach, she has come to know Christ and has been able to leave this work."
PRAYER REQUESTS
India flyover collapse
More than 18 are dead and possibly 150 are trapped after a highway overpass that is under construction collapsed over a large shopping area in Kolkata, India.
Amitava Chatterjee, superintendent of the East India District, who lives 6 kilometers from this overpass, reported: "The spot where the accident took place is ... 7 km from Doctor Lane Church (of the Nazarene). Mostly non-Bengali area and full of wholesale shops. Asia's biggest wholesale shopping area. We are safe."
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Harmon Schmelzenbach
Retired missionary Harmon Schmelzenbach has been permanently moved to a nursing home due to the progression of his Parkinson's disease. Harmon and Beverly served in Africa for 39 years.
MORE...
For more global concerns and continued requests, see the NMI Prayer Mobilization Line by clicking here or JESUS Film Harvest Partners by clicking here. To share additional praises or prayer requests, please use the comment section below or see the Prayer Mobilization Line's Facebook page.
GMC employment opportunities
Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the Global Ministry Center is the administrative, mission, and service hub for the Church of the Nazarene's ministries in 159 world areas. The following positions are available: Read more
Human Resources
Nazarene Theological Seminary of Peru hosted two programs to train pastors and leaders from the Church of the Nazarene's three Awajún districts. The Awajún people are an ethnic group from the Peruvian Amazon jungle. Read moreNTS-Peru hosts program for Awajún students
Chiclayo, Peru
Nazarene Theological Seminary of Peru hosted two programs to train pastors and leaders from the Church of the Nazarene's three Awajún districts. The Awajún people are an ethnic group from the Peruvian Amazon jungle.
The first program began January 11 with a summer holiday program that concluded February 26 with a time of fellowship for those enrolled. There were 21 students registered in the program, 99 percent of whom are Awajún. The program also serves as a ministerial course update for pastors from the three Awajún districts.
The seminary's regular program began March 7 in the Nuevo Horizonte Sub-Headquarters for 18 students (of which 95 percent are Awajún) and the continuing program for graduates with a Diploma in Theology who wish to apply for a Bachelor of Theology awarded by NTS-Peru.
The Nuevo Horizonte Sub-Headquarters, located in the Amazon jungle, is an extension of NTS-Peru that serves three Awajún districts in the formation of pastors and leaders.
For a video about theological education on the Awajún districts, click here.[Church of the Nazarene South America Region]
ANSR conference to focus on millennials
This year's annual Association of Nazarene Sociologists and Researchers Conference, to be held May 19 through 21 at MidAmerica Nazarene University, will focus on "Millennials and the Church." Read moreANSR conference to focus on millennials
Olathe, Kansas
This year's Association of Nazarene Sociologists and Researchers (ANSR) Conference, to be held May 19 through 21 at MidAmerica Nazarene University, will focus on "Millennials and the Church."
The free conference is designed for denominational leaders and aims to provide attendees with an innovative resource for ministry. Held annually, the conference brings together trending sociological research and speaker-leaders from across the Church of the Nazarene. The conference begins Thursday evening and ends following breakfast on Saturday, allowing attendees time to return home for Sunday services.
The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Richard Flory, who directs the Religion, Culture and Politics Working Group at the University of Southern California. Flory is also the author, co-author, and editor of several books.
"We’re looking forward to spending time with you at this year’s conference, which is being held on the beautiful MidAmerica Nazarene University campus and hosted by the Sullivan Center for Church Leadership," said Dale Jones, director of Nazarene Research Services. "Together we’ll enjoy gifted speakers, significant research, amazing food, and meaningful fellowship — including a presentation game night event."
While the conference itself is free, on-campus meals and rooms are available for a fee.
For registration and details, visit ansrconference.com or contact Research Services atresearch@nazarene.org or 1-800-306-9928.[Nazarene Research Services]
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DRC pastor perseveres in building church, school
A new school building in Kafubu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is now complete after two years. Read moreDRC pastor perseveres in building church, school by Gavin Fothergill for Out of Africa
Kafubu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Aimé Mutombo and his wife
I can hardly believe that it has taken nearly two years to be able to say this, but the School in Kafubu, DRC, started by Rev. Aimé is now finished. IT IS FINISHED!
Throughout this building process, Rev. Aimé has suffered quite a bit because of his obedience. An angry mob destroyed the first church they built in the village, which doubled as a two-room school house for only three weeks before it was destroyed. Rev. Aimé (whose name means loved) was thrown in jail for more than a week before the church members were able to get him out. After much struggle, the village finally accepted him as a pastor and a servant of the Lord, he built a second church only to have it destroyed after heavy rains.
Kafubu Nazarene School
If it were me, I would most likely have given up long ago. But I am thankful for servants and pastors like Rev. Aimé who remind me that once God gives a vision, He will see it through to the end. Eventually, a church was built and stands to this day. In the original location, they were able to start the school with the arrival of a Work & Witness team from Point Loma Nazarene University in July of 2014 and the Congo Jam event in the USA which helped to raise money. They struggled again with land disputes and getting official documents, but the Lord was faithful and the financing came in from various partners who were also touched by God's vision for Kafubu. Today, the school is teaching the adults who never got a chance to go to school how to read. In September, it will begin teaching children from grades 1 to 8 so they no longer have to take 10-mile roundtrip walk to the next town for education.[Church of the Nazarene Africa Region]
Flags of the Nations: Nigeria
Each week, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center proudly flies a flag of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. This week's flag: Nigeria, Africa Region. Click "read more" for more information about the Church of the Nazarene in Nigeria, including what year the church entered the country and how many members there are today. Read moreFlags of the Nations: Nigeria
Since September 1, 2009, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center (GMC) proudly flies a flag each week of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. Leaders were invited to send a national flag to be flown at the GMC alongside the flag of the United States*. The national flags rotate weekly, and photos of them raised are sent to the church leaders of that country.
This week: Nigeria
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Nigeria in 1977.
Nigeria had a population of 181,562,056 in 2015. That same year, Nigeria reported 76 Churches of the Nazarene, 49 of which had been officially organized. Nigeria has 12,508 total members.
Located on the Africa Region, Nigeria has two Phase 2 districts. For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene.
USA/Canada
Moving Ministers: March 2016
Compiled by the General Secretary's Office from district reports, Moving Ministers is a monthly listing of Nazarene ministers in new assignments on the USA/Canada Region. Read moreMoving Ministers: March 2016
Compiled by the General Secretary's Office from district reports, Moving Ministers is a monthly listing of Nazarene ministers in new assignments on the USA/Canada Region.
Roles included in the latest report are pastor and pastoral service. Entries were received from March 1 to March 31, 2016.
To view the March report, click here.
For previous reports, see usacanadanazarene.org.
Moving Ministers As of: Friday, 1 April 2016
Rev. Julie A. Armbrister from Pastor
Dublin Community Hope
Dublin VA
to Pastoral Service on 1/4/2016
Pulaski New Life
Pulaski VA
Rev. Lucho David Beltran Gonzales from Pastor
La Zaranda
Chiclayo
Peru
to Pastor on 1/16/2016
Jaen
Jaén
Peru
Rev. Nathan Brinar from Student
Central California
Fresno CA
to Pastoral Service on 1/1/2016
Hutchinson First
Hutchinson KS
Rev. Amy L. deWeber from Pastoral Service
Goodlettsville
Goodlettsville TN
to Pastoral Service on 3/1/2016
Raleigh First
Garner NC
Rev. Amy L. deWeber from Pastoral Service
Goodlettsville
Goodlettsville TN
to Pastoral Service on 3/1/2016
Raleigh First
Garner NC
Rev. Lauri A. Ferring from Pastoral Service
Selah
Selah WA
to Pastor on 3/20/2016
Elgin Harvester's
Elgin OR
Rev. Dennis J. Gavin from Pastoral Service
Seymour
Seymour MO
to Pastoral Service on 2/1/2016
Tallahassee First
Tallahassee FL
Rev. Joseph J. Gonzales from Pastoral Service
Olathe College
Olathe KS
to Pastoral Service on 2/15/2016
Fremont
Fremont NE
Rev. Howard R. Green from Pastor
Grenada First
Grenada MS
to Pastor on 2/1/2016
Union
Thaxton MS
Rev. Tawana G Grubb from Pastoral Service
Cross Pointe
North Chesterfield VA
to Student on 2/26/2016
North Carolina
Charlotte NC
Rev. Kevin Dale Harris from Pastor
Grand Saline
Grand Saline TX
to Pastor on 4/17/2016
Mount Pleasant Journey
Mount Pleasant TX
Rev. Brian G. Hobbs from Unassigned
Dallas
Nevada TX
to Pastoral Service on 1/1/2016
Roswell Central
Roswell NM
Rev. Brian D. Howard from Pastor
Kissimmee First
Kissimmee FL
to Pastor on 2/14/2016
Chester
Chester SC
Rev. Charles D. Howland from Pastoral Service
Gatesville
Gatesville TX
to Pastoral Service on 2/1/2016
Hillsboro
Hillsboro TX
Rev. Chad W. Johnson from Pastoral Service
Darby Creek
Orient OH
to Pastor on 3/6/2016
Chillicothe Westside
Chillicothe OH
Rev. Roul W. K. Klag from Unassigned
Northwestern Ohio
Saint Marys OH
to Pastoral Service on 1/18/2016
Hope Community
Oregon OH
Rev. Steven G. Ledbetter from Pastor
Carrollton
Carrollton TX
to Pastor on 3/13/2016
San Angelo First
San Angelo TX
Rev. Scott David Moore from Pastor
Fort Scott
Fort Scott KS
to Pastor on 3/13/2016
Broken Arrow First
Broken Arrow OK
Rev. Lynn E. Nichols from Pastor
Tampa First
Tampa FL
to Pastor on 2/1/2016
Fort Worth Northside
Fort Worth TX
Rev. Andrea Michelle Sawtelle from Pastoral Service
Hagerstown
Hagerstown MD
to Pastoral Service on 4/4/2016
Quincy MA Wollaston
Quincy MA
Rev. Damon K. Spurgeon from Pastoral Service
Columbus First
Columbus IN
to Pastor on 3/14/2016
Dellroy
Dellroy OH
Rev. Gregory A. Stevens from Pastor
Wayne-Goshen Community
New Hampshire OH
to Pastor on 2/1/2016
St. Marys
Saint Marys WV
Rev. Jonathan D. Virden from Student
South Central Ohio
Grove City OH
to Pastoral Service on 2/14/2016
Reynoldsburg
Reynoldsburg OH
Rev. Anita Walker from Pastoral Service
Reynoldsburg
Reynoldsburg OH
to Student on 3/1/2016
South Central Ohio
Grove City OH
Nazarenes in the News
Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members. In the news this week: Texas congregation celebrates 100 years. Read moreNazarenes in the News
Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.
A Temple tent revival.
Texas congregation celebrates 100 years
(Temple Daily Telegram, February 29) Following the example of Abraham in the Old Testament, a faithful band of believers in 1916 pitched their tent in east Temple, guided by a promise and hope.
The congregation grew from the evangelistic efforts of the Revs. C.H. White and Leo Ferdinand Maedgen (1880-1964), who conducted a series of tent revivals in Temple. With those successful efforts, the Rev. Hope Giles Land (1873-1928), a carpenter by trade and a preacher by calling, pitched a tent east of the Missouri-Texas-Kansas Railway tracks for two big church meetings on March 12, 1916.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Stories to share? Send them to news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]
In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received March 28 - April 1, 2016. Read moreIn Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received March 28 - April 1, 2016.
Lola (Fetty) Baker, 90, of New Cumberland, West Virginia, passed away March 24. She was the widow of retired minister Arnett Baker, who served in West Virginia and Ohio. Arnett Baker passed away in 2001.
Paul Barber Sr., 76, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away March 27. He was a retired minister, serving in Washington, California, Idaho, and Oregon. He is survived by his wife, Marie Barber.
Wilbur Brannon, 85, of Hermitage, Tennessee, passed away March 29. He was a retired minister and evangelist, serving in Indiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, California, and Tennessee. He also served as a director at the denomination's International Headquarters. He is survived by his wife, Grace "Betty" Brannon. More information will be published as it is made available.
Talma (Gunter) Deal, 92, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away March 18. She was the widow of retired minister James Deal, who served in Florida and Tennessee. James Deal passed away in 2005.
Ernestine (McDonald) Ellis, 94, of Saint Charles, Missouri, passed away March 4. She was the widow of retired minister and chaplain John Ellis, who served in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. John Ellis passed away in 1988.
Anna Fanning, 76, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away March 24. She was a retired minister, serving in Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Fanning, in 2003.
Byron Hunt, 87, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away March 29. He was a retired minister, serving in Indiana and Colorado. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Hunt.
James "Gilbertson" Stuart, 97, of Brooklyn, New York, passed away February 28. He was a retired minister, serving in New York. He was preceded in death by his wife, Adna Stuart, in 1999.
Janice Tabone, 62, of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, passed away March 22. She was the wife of retired minister Vincent "Jim" Tabone, who served in Maine.
Esther (Wilson) White, 85, of Peoria, Illinois, passed away March 21. She was the widow of retired minister Paul White, who served in Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. Paul White passed away in October.
Walter Wilcox, 88, of Indian Mountain, New Brunswick, Canada, passed away March 21. He was a retired minister and evangelist, serving in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Ontario. He is survived by his wife, Alva Wilcox.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join with us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]
Global praise reports and prayer requests
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners. Included this week: JFHP ministry transforms lives in Argentina, Burkina Faso ... Deadly overpass collapse. Read moreGlobal praise reports and prayer requests
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners include:
PRAISES
JESUS Film - Argentina
“I was filled with bitterness and anger,” said Alejandra in Argentina. “When I was just 12 years old, my uncle took advantage of me. I did not speak to my mother for 20 years. My life was consumed with every evil. My four children have different fathers. Throughout my life, I was beaten, mistreated, and psychologically abused. I sought relief in alcohol and promiscuity. I was totally spent, at the end of my rope!
“I began to attend a small group started by a JESUS Film team. In this group, they told me God could change my life. As my last hope, in desperation, I lifted my eyes to heaven. Something happened to me — I began to weep uncontrollably! I was transformed, restored, and healed physically. I found the desire to forgive my mother for all I held against her. I am a new creature! I want you to know my testimony. When I look at my old life compared to what Jesus has done today, my heart weeps with joy and thankfulness! Pray for me and my children to remain strong in the Lord.”
JESUS Film - Burkina Faso
"Most of the villagers are engaged in agriculture and are animists (worshippers of inanimate objects)," said Benjamin Nabi, a team leader in Burkina Faso. "This village became notorious for drugs, prostitution, crime, armed robberies, murders, rituals, etc. It became this way simply because gold was found in the area.
"JESUS Film work in this area has helped people see that Jesus Christ is the one who can take them out of their misery. One such person is a young girl named Odile. She was sold by her bosses into humiliating prostitution on the gold site. Through the JESUS Film outreach, she has come to know Christ and has been able to leave this work."
PRAYER REQUESTS
India flyover collapse
More than 18 are dead and possibly 150 are trapped after a highway overpass that is under construction collapsed over a large shopping area in Kolkata, India.
Amitava Chatterjee, superintendent of the East India District, who lives 6 kilometers from this overpass, reported: "The spot where the accident took place is ... 7 km from Doctor Lane Church (of the Nazarene). Mostly non-Bengali area and full of wholesale shops. Asia's biggest wholesale shopping area. We are safe."
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Harmon Schmelzenbach
Retired missionary Harmon Schmelzenbach has been permanently moved to a nursing home due to the progression of his Parkinson's disease. Harmon and Beverly served in Africa for 39 years.
MORE...
For more global concerns and continued requests, see the NMI Prayer Mobilization Line by clicking here or JESUS Film Harvest Partners by clicking here. To share additional praises or prayer requests, please use the comment section below or see the Prayer Mobilization Line's Facebook page.
GMC employment opportunities
Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the Global Ministry Center is the administrative, mission, and service hub for the Church of the Nazarene's ministries in 159 world areas. The following positions are available: Read more
Human Resources
People are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 159 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email bsikes@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
General Secretary's Office — Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager (Full time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: General Secretary's Office
Title: Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Description: This position offers a wide variety of management duties for the General Secretary’s Office with increasing responsibility for General Board and General Assembly. Tasks for managing the office include oversight of the responsibilities charged to the General Secretary. Time clock management, personnel reviews, morale, and training are among the other duties. Training during GA 2017 will be provided and this person will be hands-on with the planning. Housing for GA 2017 will be a large part of the involvement with GA 2017.
General Superintendents' Office — Administrative Director (Full time)
Office: General Superintendents
Ministry: General Superintendents' Office
Title: Administrative Director
Description: Responsibilities for this position include to serve the Board of General Superintendents by coordinating all activities of the office, keeping superintendents informed about all matters as appropriate. Serve as liaison between the general superintendents and Global Ministry Center personnel, college presidents, and regional personnel. Confidentiality required.
Pensions and Benefits USA — Technology Specialist (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Pensions and Benefits USA
Title: Technology Specialist
Description: This position will assist the technology supervisor in coordinating the technology resources available to each department within the Pensions and Benefits USA office (P&B) by making sure that internal and external education/training efforts are meeting P&B requirements. This includes benefit plan system development, Web development, document storage/retrieval, and equipping staff with the necessary computer/phone equipment.
Stewardship Ministries — Publications Manager (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Stewardship Ministries
Title: Publications Manager
Description: This position provides administrative, editorial, and workflow support for Stewardship Ministries. Communication through electronic and printed material is required, including content writing and proof reading. Directing general office workflow and specific project management is included in the duties of this position. In addition, this position performs daily, routine office and administrative tasks.
To obtain additional information, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Location of our Positions
The GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 159 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an “at will” employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are smoke-, alcohol-, and drug-free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best match the requirements of the open position for which the application was submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application forms may be requested by calling 913-577-0500, emailing bsikes@nazarene.org, or obtained in person from Human Resources at the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas, 66220, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.
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Nazarene Communications Network
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email bsikes@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
General Secretary's Office — Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager (Full time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: General Secretary's Office
Title: Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Description: This position offers a wide variety of management duties for the General Secretary’s Office with increasing responsibility for General Board and General Assembly. Tasks for managing the office include oversight of the responsibilities charged to the General Secretary. Time clock management, personnel reviews, morale, and training are among the other duties. Training during GA 2017 will be provided and this person will be hands-on with the planning. Housing for GA 2017 will be a large part of the involvement with GA 2017.
General Superintendents' Office — Administrative Director (Full time)
Office: General Superintendents
Ministry: General Superintendents' Office
Title: Administrative Director
Description: Responsibilities for this position include to serve the Board of General Superintendents by coordinating all activities of the office, keeping superintendents informed about all matters as appropriate. Serve as liaison between the general superintendents and Global Ministry Center personnel, college presidents, and regional personnel. Confidentiality required.
Pensions and Benefits USA — Technology Specialist (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Pensions and Benefits USA
Title: Technology Specialist
Description: This position will assist the technology supervisor in coordinating the technology resources available to each department within the Pensions and Benefits USA office (P&B) by making sure that internal and external education/training efforts are meeting P&B requirements. This includes benefit plan system development, Web development, document storage/retrieval, and equipping staff with the necessary computer/phone equipment.
Stewardship Ministries — Publications Manager (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Stewardship Ministries
Title: Publications Manager
Description: This position provides administrative, editorial, and workflow support for Stewardship Ministries. Communication through electronic and printed material is required, including content writing and proof reading. Directing general office workflow and specific project management is included in the duties of this position. In addition, this position performs daily, routine office and administrative tasks.
To obtain additional information, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Location of our Positions
The GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 159 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an “at will” employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are smoke-, alcohol-, and drug-free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best match the requirements of the open position for which the application was submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application forms may be requested by calling 913-577-0500, emailing bsikes@nazarene.org, or obtained in person from Human Resources at the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas, 66220, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.
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Material created and owned by NCN News may be used for church newsletters and bulletins.
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Material created and owned by NCN News may be used for church newsletters and bulletins.
The Global Church of the Nazarene Communications Network News
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